Dermoid cysts: Epidemiology and diagnostic approach based on clinical experiences

Abstract

BackgroundDermoid cysts are congenital tumors that are benign. Dermoid cysts with intracranial extension can cause serious neurological complications. It is important, therefore, to determine whether a patient has a dermoid cyst when their chief concern at a doctor’s visit is a mass in the head or neck area. In this study, we present a literature review of dermoid cysts and an analysis of the authors’ experiences, with the goal of providing guidance useful for the diagnosis and treatment of dermoid cysts.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 62 patients who visited the two medical clinics with which the authors are affiliated. The patients were enrolled between October 2003 and January 2017.ResultsOf the 62 patients analyzed in this study, 32 were 0 to 5 years of age (52%) and 23 were 17 years of age or older (37%). Forty-seven patients underwent 1 or more imaging study during the process of diagnosis. Thirty-two patients were suspected to have a dermoid cyst. Forty-nine patients were analyzed to determine the depth of the cyst. Bone was seen in 43 patients through imaging tests or during actual surgery, and nine of the 43 had bony problems (21%).ConclusionsThis study found that dermoid cysts were present in many adults, and that a high rate of deep lesions was observed, as well as many cases in which even the bone was affected. These results suggest, therefore, that dermoid cysts should be considered, and medical professionals should actively conduct imaging studies.

Intrapulmonary mature cystic teratoma of the lung: case report of a rare entity

“…Teratomas are benign germ cell tumors that are mostly found in the gonads with a low malignant transformation potency [1][2][3]. Extra-gonadal germ cell tumors are considered rare with mediastinum as the most common site [4], but can also arise in other areas such as the head and neck [5], retroperitoneum, sacrococcygeal region and on rare occasions the lung, which is considered as an intrapulmonary teratoma (IPT) [6].…”

An Extremely Rare Case Report of Foramen Magnum Dermoid Cyst Presenting as an Acute Progressive Neurologic Deficit

“…They are frequently presented at the orbit, nose or in the lateral eyebrow. The age of occurrence in woman is between 20 and 36 years of age [13]. Our case was 45 years old.…”

Diagnosis and Treatment of Parasellar Lesions

“…The content of the dermoid cysts is a soft white material that originates from the progressive desquamation of keratin from the epithelial membrane of the cyst, sebaceous material, and dermal appendages. The presence of hair follicles and sebaceous and sweat glands in the cyst wall distinguishes dermoid cysts from epidermoid ones [31]. Dermoid cysts appear on MRI as hyperintense T1 lesions and hypointense T2 images.…”